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BORN
1930
DIED
2023
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Annabelle Taylor Obituary
August 24, 1930 - June 29, 2023
Annabelle Lee Gray Taylor
Resident of Oakland
Annabelle was born on August 24,1930, in Highland Park, Michigan, and passed away on June 29, 2023, in Castro Valley, California, after a brief illness at the age of 92. A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Annabelle was the youngest of two daughters born to Harry (Zamanigian) and Teresa (Goolkasian) Gray. The family moved to California in 1936 and settled in Piedmont. Her father, Harry, was a jeweler and expert wrist watch repairman by trade and established Gray's Gift and Jewelry in Oakland where he and Teresa worked together. Annabelle graduated from Piedmont High School in 1948 and was married to James K. Taylor, Jr. of Oakland on May 15, 1949 in Oakland. They were blessed with three children, son James, III (1951), daughter Janet (1952), son Douglas (1961) and raised their family in Oakland.
Annabelle was preceded in death by her parents Harry (1971) and Teresa (1974), husband James, Jr. (1990), brother-in-law Harold Magarian (1991), cousin John Minasian (2006), sister Isabelle Magarian (2012), loving son-in-law Ron Hunt (2019) and nephew Richard Magarian (2021). She is survived by her children, James Taylor, III (Leana), Janet Hunt (Ron-deceased) and Douglas Taylor, her grandson Christopher Taylor (Melissa), great-grandsons Cameron, Lucas and Gavin Taylor, cousins Janine (Chooljian) Sanders (Vernon), Peggy (Loos) Magarian (Richard-deceased), Barry Chooljian (Carole), Beverly Chooljian, Marlene Minasian, Nicholas and Thomas Magarian, Elizabeth Berg (Andy Steinitz), Nathaniel Berg (Kate Gmyrek) and her loving caregiver, ex-daughter-in-law Susan Taylor, in addition to many, many friends. She will be missed by all.
Annabelle was proud of her Armenian heritage. Her father was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide of the first World War and her mother's family survived the earlier genocide in the 1890's. She was extremely devoted to her family and was a longtime member of St. Vartan Armenian Church and the Ladies Society.
Visitation will be held in the Tower Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery, 5000 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, on Wednesday, July 12 from 5 to 7pm. Funeral service will be held at St. Vartan Armenian Church, 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, on Thursday, July 13 at 11am with interment at Mountain View Cemetery immediately following.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the St. Vartan Church Ladies Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Annabelle Taylor
Sponsored by Piedmont Funeral Services & Mountain View Cemetery.
3 Entries
Bruce Goodrich
July 8, 2024
Mrs Taykor was a kind and gentle Lady. Her son Douglas was my best friend for a long time. I always had alot of fun at the Taylor house growing up. Mrs Taylor had alot of class and I never ever heard her say a bad word about anyone. May Annabelle, this kind and wonderful soul rest in peace - Bruce Goodrich
Brian Barsamian
December 28, 2023
Sincere condolences to the Taylor family. I knew Annabelle my entire life. She always had something nice to say about my mother, who was a friend to her for many years. I grew up knowing her children, mainly Janet who was a good friend in our youth. May Annabelle be in a better place.
Regina GARABEDIAN
October 16, 2023
She was a wonderful person, a delight to know and befriend.
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Memorial Events
for Annabelle Taylor
Jul
12
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Piedmont Funeral Services & Mountain View Cemetery5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611
Funeral services provided by:
Piedmont Funeral Services & Mountain View Cemetery5000 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611
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